The following is a message of condolence to Rachel's parents from an Egyptian journalist:
"Dear Mr. Craig and Mrs. Cindy,
We are so sorry about your daughter Rachel Corrie. we have to tell you that your daughter proved that there are good American people like your family, we are sure of that. When you feel the sorrow, please remember that thousands of Palestinians feel the same over the loss of their own sons and daughters too on the hands of the Israeli army. Many Israelis do not care how many people died because of them, so they voted for the most dangerous terrorist in Israel's history, Ariel Sharon, who killed and continues to kill civilians, women, boys, children, and even patients. Please know also that when your daughter was killed, every arab father and mother felt that they lost their daughter, the painful feelings are the same. American President George W. Bush stands with his government in support for that violence, those crimes committed by Israel.
Rachel Corrie didn't die, she is alive, because those who were killed for humanity and justice never die!!
We are so proud of your daughter..."
Answer
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Name
Jessica
- United States
Profession
Question
When did you meet Rachel? And, in your view, what was she like? I look at her pictures in disbelief, unable to understand how a young woman with her age could gather so much courage.
Answer
Sami: I met her January 15, 2003, in Rafah, she was asking us on what Israeli techniques were in destroying Palestinian houses. She was an amazing example of confidence, enthusiasm and courage.
We explained to her how the Israeli army demolished many homes and killed many activists who stood in front of the bulldozers to try and stop the destruction.
She was a very emotionally distinct character, compared to other who came with her; she would cry every time she would see a destroyed home, and comment on how many mother and children were now out in the cold with no shelter. She liked children very much and was a very amicable character. She would accept all invitations for visits. In a short time she made many friends in Rafah. She was loved by almost evey Palestinian child she met.
Name
Adnan
- Pakistan
Profession
student cum teaching
Question
I owe my sincere respect to Rachel Corrie. Do you her dedication for peace will bring any significant understanding among the american people?
Answer
It will certainly affect the American people. Rachel's blood is a shame in President Bush's career. We are nearly certain that the US administration will find an excuse for this crime... American media has already started to show Rachel to have acted irrationally. Had this crime been committed by any other state, US government's reaction would have been very different.
Name
Mohamed
- Brunei
Profession
Teacher
Question
Is Rachel Corrie, who died protesting against Israel's genocide against Palestinians, a martyr in the eyes of Islam?
Answer
Host - we refer our reader with this question to our Fatwa section.
Thank you.
Name
Khadija
-
Profession
Question
Were you there when the accident took place?
Answer
Yes.
Rachel was in al-Salaam area in Rafah, around 3 pm. She was trying to protest against the destruction of homes in the area, holding a megaphone and calling for the bulldozer to stop.
By the time the bulldozer came near one of the houses she stood right in front of it and repeated her call. Yet the bulldozer shoved her along with the dirt on the ground and she lost her balance and fell. When she did it lifted her and threw her off a further distance and then ran over her.
When we saw that we screamed at the driver, telling him that she was being killed, that she was in the dirt, to alarm him, yet he showed no sign of surprise.
She was clearly buried in the ground. The first to run to her aid was a Palestinian child, and we all followed. What you see in the pictures was what she looked like after she was taken out of the ground and the dust was cleared off her body. She suffered severe fractures in many parts of her body. Everyone was in a state of hysteria... trying to dig her out of the ground and screaming and crying at the same time.
Then an Israeli Merkava passed by and we all yelled at it to call for assistance.
She was taken almost almost a dead, deformed corpse to the hospital and lost her life.
Nothing, no words, can describe what we saw. No words can truly express the extent to which Israeli crimes have reached.
Name
Sarah
-
Profession
Question
Do you really think this type of protesting is effective? What is your opinion on this, from a general view. If we stand in front of Bulldozers will it change the current situaition? It might be able to peirce through peoples hearts and let them see the injustice that is going on, but will it REALLY make a difference, other than what people FEEL?
And, what do you think of the current situation, and any solutions to end this once and for all, or is there no hope?
Thanks
Answer
There is a voice that has reached the world. There is a strong message of alert that was sent to the international community: There are people suffering everyday, there are people losing their lives everyday at the hands of the Israeli government.
Our message is one of peace. And we try to show to the world that it is this very peace that they are killing. Before her death, Rachel did succeed in limiting a number of house demolitions.
We are protesting in every way we can to end a policy of racism from both the Israeli and American governments. We use words and stones, and everything we can to reach independence and an end to oppression.
Name
John
- United States
Profession
Software Engineer
Question
We all mourn the tragic death of Rachel with her family and friends. May her courageous stance serve as a point of rally for all of us.
I was shocked by the attempts by pro-Israeli media outlets, such as the Washington Post, to attempt to paint the murder of Rachel as as "accident" by the Israeli forces.
What are your plans for shedding light more on this topic and the complicity of the Israeli government in the crimes committed by its soldiers.
Answer
We have given a press conference after the accident, and let out all the pictures we have taken of what happened to Rachel. We also urge everyone to begin resorting more to alternative media, the websites and periodicals that show the real truth of what is happening in Palestine. Mainstream American media is highly subjective and tilting strongly towards Israel.
We have also protested before the UN office in Gaza, and there will be a mass held in some churches for the memory of Rachel.
Rachel's name is held in honor in every corner of Palestine. Her name was given to one of the streets, to a kindergarten and to one of the halls in the youth parliament. Rachel lives on in every Palestinian heart, and in every Palestinian home.
She was not the only American supporting Palestinians. We do realize that there are many honorable American citizens who stand against injustices around the world. American lives are endangered with Bush's brutal foreign policy, and for that reason Americans should stand in the face of that policy, and do everything they can to prevent it.
An American flag is being burned everyday in different worldwide angry demonstrations. When Rachel was buried, she was buried with both the American and Palestinian flag, to show the ongoing solidarity between the two peoples. If Americans would die, they need to choose an honorable death. Rachel is now a symbol of peace, a heroine in the eyes of all Palestinians and all peace loving people around the world.
We would like to thank this website, and all other media organizations that have given her death the honest coverage and her name the honor it deserves.
Name
mahammed
- United Kingdom
Profession
assistant manager
Question
assalamu alikum brothers and sisters and freinds,actually i cant find the words to describe my sad feelings i just want to say to rachel's parents well done that you have a girl like this she was absolitley wonderfull and we are soo sorry for what happened to her.it will be here in london a big demonstration this saturday and i'm sure a thousands of ppeople will not forget what rachel did for the palestenians........well my eyes are full of tears............no comments
Answer
Host - Thank you brother... We all share your feelings.
Name
Thomas Pochari
- United States
Profession
publisher of World Affairs Monthly
Question
Why can the Jews in Israel get away with killing in cold blood this young American woman? Why do American Jews stay silent, and allow these crimes against the Palestinian people?
American leaders are criminals. Why are they not held accountable for their crimes?
Answer
I believe it is not necessarily true that the United States actually rules the world. I see it more as though Israel rule the US with its strong Jewish lobby and the powerful Zionist presence in the American enterprise and media.
The world is still very silent. And it cannot put George W. Bush or Ariel Sharon on trial. Yet our little children have done a symbolic trial against the US president and the Israeli prime minister, in which Rachel participated with the kids, and developed a list of accusations to be directed at the American president.
Rachel's death is a clear sign and direct evidence that they are war criminals. She has condemned them and put them on trial with her blood.
Yet there are still many Jews around the United States who stand strongly with the Palestinian cause and are opposed to the crimes committed everyday by Israel in their name.
Name
Valerie
- United States
Profession
Mother
Question
I'm an American Muslim living in Egypt and almost 22 years old. I have been deeply touched by Rachel's death and could not stop crying. I will not forget her as long as I live. I submitted a question but do not see an answer. Was Rachel Muslim? Even if she wasn't that wouldn't change my deep respect for her. Please send my sincere condolences to her family. I can only imagine the pain and anguish my own mother would endure if someone told her I'D been run over by a tank machine. I ask Allah for justice to be served.
Answer
Rachel was not a Muslim. We pray to Allah that he would bless her.
What Rachel did was something that Arab rulers would not do.
She left her land, she left a life of ease and joy, and came to this impoverished and war torn spot, to share the suffering and to help those in need. She struggled with us, hand in hand, against Zionist oppression.
There are many factions here in Palestine that described Rachel as a martyr. Her pictures are being distributed everywhere in Rafah. People gather around us and run for her pictures whenever they see us distributing them.
Name
Ahmad
- Canada
Profession
Machinist
Question
I want, first, to share with the parents of Rachell and her friends my outrage at the barbaric act that lead to Rachel's death and for them to accept my deep sorrow for losing her, and I will never forget her courage.
now my question is where do they get all the courage to be at the front line while the rest of the world standing by.
Answer
She got that courage, as she told her parents one time, from Palestine's children! She was very affected by the manner in which they stood in front Israeli tanks and fearlessly threw rocks at them.
She stayed for 3 months in Palestine, and got more courage to the courage she already had. It is our being together and our solidarity that gives us the courage.
We went back to the spot where she was murdered, and asked each other how we felt. We all felt so strong. We felt her strengh in that place. We felt the way Palestinian parents feel when they lose their sons or daughters for Palestine: pride and courage.
Rachel had the power and courage of men and women combined.
Name
Jaccque Andrew
-
Profession
Researcher
Question
How's the present situation in Rafah. Are you going to continue what Rachel has left?
Answer
Yes, we are going to.
Rachel's death has given us all more strength and courage to act on. We have support from all of the people in Rafah. With her death we held a special occasion in her mourning and did a symbolic funeral for her.
She inspired us all, citizens and activists, to continue along that path.
Name
Latifah
-
Profession
Question
First of all my thoughts go out to her family and you, as her friends. You guys have my respect for standing up against injustice by risking your life.
What was the reaction of the US government? Any investigations by US officials in this case? Will Rachels death have any consequence for the Isrealis or is it simply seen as an accident?
Thank you!
Answer
There is a serious problem of misinformation in the American media. The issue is being kept under the lid.
There was talk of a committee to be formed in the US State Dept. for the investigation, but soon nothing was heard of it.
Name
Jane
-
Profession
Question
What is your advice to us - students with regards to injustice in the Middle East. I personally feel helpless and keep telling myself that I can't be like you, let alone being in a strange land.
Thanks
Answer
Thank you very much, Jane, for your words of support. You can stay in touch with us through the Internet, you can be in touch with the children of Palestine, and help them through the net. We would like to see you soon in Rafah. Or you may stay in touch with us and become our voice in your country.
You can spread the word and continue to spread messages and pictures on the net about the reality of what is happening in Palestine.
You can reach us at roouf18@hotmail.com and roouf18@yahoo.com
